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USA & Canada Toll Free: 1-800-509-8194 UK Toll Free: 0800 047 0248 International: +41 91 220 0567 Italy: +39 089 842 6126 Email: info@summerinitaly.com |
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 PositanoSituated in a superb spot which opens out southwards towards the centre of a vast gulf, stretching from the Germano tip to Capo Sottile, Positano is one of the famous and popular seaside resorts of the Amalfi Coast. An ancient fishermen's village nestling on the southern slopes of the Monti Lattari, it is crowned to the north by the steep slopes of Monte Comune and Monte Sant'Angelo in Tre Pizzi, between which a deep valley opens towards the sea. The origins of Positano date back to the tenth century, when the people of Paestum had to run away from the Saracens who had destroyed their homes, and shelter in a Benedictine abbey further south the coast. As the natural disposition of the new site made it much easier to defend, the refugees established a new city there. Within a few decades, Positano had become a maritime centre. At the beginning of this century, its particularly lovely setting and mild climate began to attract tourist, initially Parthenopean aristocrats, who built some villas on the slopes of Monte Comune. In more recent years, the city’s hotels and sports facilities have been upgraded, thus allowing a grater development of tourism, which is currently the main activity of the people of Positano. The oldest part of the town has preserved the typical aspect of a seafaring village, with its staged terraces descending toward the sea, and houses in the characteristic cubic shape, separated by narrow little streets most of which are marked with steps. The backbone of the area is Viale Pasitea, which is an extremely windy street. The small Flavio Gioia square, from which one can enjoy a magnificent view, is the centre of the town: it is overlooked by the church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its great majolica cupola decorated with geometric patterns. From the square one goes down to the beach of the Marina Grande, the so-called Spiaggia Grande. On the other side of the town, looking west, the beach of Fornillo opens out just beyond a tract of rocky coast. To the east of Positano lie the beaches of La Porta, Ciumicello and Arienzo. The area surrounding Positano is full of extremely attractive spots. Near Punta Germano the coastal road takes you over a deep crack in the cliff with a precarious little bridge, called “Ponte dei Libri” (Bridge of Books). The name comes from the regular stratification of the rocky walls, which look like the leaves of enormous tomes superimposed on one another and which one can see better by climbing down the valley along a path. Leaving Positano for Amalfi, the road runs high above the sea, passing the two charming villages of Montepertuso and Nocelle on the left. On the slopes of Monte Sant' Angelo in Tre Pizzi, stands the imposing “Arco Naturale”, which is particularly beautiful in the morning as the rays of the rising sun fall upon it. Near Punta San Pietro is found the eponymous church which commands a grand and truly splendid view of the coast and the island of Capri, which can be seen protruding from behind Punta Campanella. From Positano trips can be made to Monte Sant'Angelo in Tre Pizzi and Monte Comune, while you can also test your own strength in an arduous climb down the steep spurs which fall sharply away to the sea.
You might also be interested in reading about the following Positano topics:
Other towns in the area: Amalfi, Ravello, Minori, Atrani, Maiori, Praiano, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Montepertuso, Vietri sul Mare, Albori, Torello, Nocelle |
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